I was listening to a Wall Street Journal podcast the other day in which Dr. Mitchell Gaynor, a leading NYC oncologist, was interviewed about the rise of cancer rates around the world. Although treatments are improving, the study found that “between 1990 and 2013, the proportion of all deaths caused by cancer rose from 12 to 15 percent worldwide.” This isn’t because there’s been a reduction in people dying from heart disease, which is currently the number one killer in the US: “No, it’s actual increase in the numbers.”

According to Dr. Gaynor, “we’re living in a world where about one in three people are going to hear the words, ‘You have cancer.’ And even more worrisome, it looks like that trend is continuing to increase. So, we’re probably headed toward a one in two over the next 5 to 10 years.”

Why is this happening? He continues: “Well, I think the reasons can basically be broken down into two general areas. One, we’re living in more of a fast-food, processed-food culture, and that’s spreading around the world. So, we’re eating more refined sugar, we’re eating more refined flour, we’re consuming more heat-damaged vegetable oils that preserve shelf life, and all of those turn on tumor-promoting genes, inflammatory genes which promote cancer, and promotes obesity which in turn promotes cancer.” Second: “There’s more and more environmental pollution—in the air we breathe, in the water that we’re drinking, in the pesticide and herbicide residues in food.”

So, here we have a traditionally trained oncologist, credentialed up the wazoo, pinpointing the S.A.D. (standard American diet) and its toxic environmental impact as the central culprits in rising cancer rates. With our food culture having been exported around the globe, the study found similar trends in Asia and Europe. “Over the next twenty years or so, it’s expected cancer is going to exceed heart disease as the number one cause of death.” And for us women, he added the prediction by the lead statistician at NIH, Dr. Phillip Rosenberg, that “breast cancer rates for American women by the year 2030 would increase by 50 percent.” That’s in fifteen years, not very far off.

Epigenetics is the study of how environmental and other external factors change the expression of our genes and the way in which our cells interpret our genes, and it’s central to understanding why diet impacts one’s vulnerability to cancer. We are all born with a unique genetic print, and some of us are more prone to disease and illness than others. But this needn’t necessarily be a death sentence. As Dr. Joel Kahn explains: “Our fork is so powerful it can not only transport food to our mouth, it can be used as a genetic on and off switch to alter our weight, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, cancer growth, and even our chances of healthy aging.”

You know what I find utterly baffling? Medical students do not study nutrition. My little sister, Tova, is entering her final year of med school and hasn’t spent five minutes on the topic of nutrition since she got there. She’s learning all about cutting and drugs, but absolutely nothing about foods that aid in disease prevention. Medical students are being educated to treat sick people rather than helping people avoid becoming sick in the first place.

If you’re like me, you are hearing ever more bad news about ever younger people in your community being stricken with cancer. The resources on the food/disease connection are all out there in plain sight, but perhaps the average person considers them too “fringe.” That excuse is no longer tenable as we now have a classically trained, leading oncologist supporting this concept and pinpointing a way for us to be proactive. In case feeling and looking our best doesn’t motivate us to put down the cupcake, chips, fast food, candy, and frappuccino, perhaps Dr. Gaynor has hit upon something that will.

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I help women who want to eat and live better—whether they seek to lose weight, gain energy, or create a healthier home.

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Renee Erlich

Working with Kelly has been life changing. I've learned about healthy food options, their health benefits, portion control, reading labels, and how to prepare these foods deliciously. In just three months my eating habits have changed, my energy level is up, and I've lost weight even though I'm eating more food than ever! Most importantly, my family is reaping the benefits.

Renee Erlich

2014-07-15T17:15:14+00:00

Renee Erlich

Working with Kelly has been life changing.

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Tina Baird

Kelly helped me figure out why I kept making the same bad choices even though deep-down I so wanted to make changes. We worked together to enable me to get out of my own way! By helping me adopt small, easy-to-reach goals to work on between meetings, I made steady progress that added up to major change over the course of six months. I am eating and living in a far healthier way than I ever thought possible. I feel amazing and my weight is finally under control.

Tina Baird

2014-09-09T17:13:05+00:00

Tina Baird

I feel amazing and my weight is finally under control!

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Paula Milgrom

Kelly helped me put in place a system of new daily habits that transformed my eating and exercise. Rather than giving you a list of foods or exercises to figure out on your own at home, she takes you step-by-step with biweekly meetings to help you create a new lifestyle. I highly recommend her approach if you’re stuck.

Paula Milgrom

2014-10-01T17:14:04+00:00

Paula Milgrom

Doctors and nutritionists send you home with a “to do” list. Kelly helps you actually get it done. I highly recommend her approach if you’re stuck.

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Stephanie Lyons

I learned with Kelly that small changes can make big impacts. She helped me prioritize my week and create a plan to get all of the important items on my to do list accomplished. Kelly showed a tremendous amount of support during our meetings which made it easy for me to speak about the aspects of my life I wanted to improve on. I would recommend Kelly to anyone who is looking to get on the path toward a healthier self.

Stephanie Lyons

2015-02-16T15:05:33+00:00

Stephanie Lyons

I learned with Kelly that small changes can make big impacts. She helped me prioritize my week and create a plan to get all of the important items on my to do list accomplished.

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Ann Knapke

I’ve been working with Kelly now for 6 months and have truly enjoyed each meeting. She has guided me, supported me and educated me on how to live a healthier lifestyle for my family and myself. Kelly has helped me set attainable goals and has provided me with the resources to meet my goals without feeling overwhelmed or stressed in the process. I highly recommend Kelly. She is dedicated and committed to helping you create optimal health whether it’s your own personal goals or your families.

Ann Knapke

2015-06-25T16:29:01+00:00

Ann Knapke

I’ve been working with Kelly now for 6 months and have truly enjoyed each meeting. She has guided me, supported me and educated me on how to live a healthier lifestyle for my family and myself.